BTC
-0.64%
68,478.00
USD
▼
MXN ≈ 1,210,765
cnbc.com
I was on an Emirates flight to Dubai that turned around twice because of Iranian missiles
CNBC's Emma Graham flew home to the UAE on an Emirates flight that turned around just 30 minutes from Dubai because of an Iran missile threat.
theguardian.com
China calls for vessels in strait of Hormuz to be protected amid soaring shipping costs
Beijing’s foreign ministry urges ‘all parties’ to avoid escalation as number of crossings drops 60% in one dayHow escalating Iran conflict is driving up oil and gas prices – a visual guideBusiness live – latest updatesThe Chinese government has called for vessels passing through the strait of Hormuz to be protected by all sides in the escalating Iran conflict, as shipping freight rates soared.Maritime traffic through the strait – a narrow channel on Iran’s southern border that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman – has effectively been closed since the US and Israel launched missile attacks on Iran at the weekend, prompting a retaliation from Tehran. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Iran conflict could have ‘very significant’ impact on UK economy, OBR warns in spring forecast – live updates
Spring forecast show UK unempoyment to peak higher than feared, as tax take heads for a record, but headroom against fiscal rules has increasedSpring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgradedUK grocery price inflation has risen, showing that people are being hit in the pocket even before the surge in energy prices feeds through to the economy.Data provider Worldpanel by Numerator has reported that annual grocery inflation rose to 4.3% in February, after four consecutive months of falls, in a blow for households. That’s up from 4% in January.Sentiment towards BP and Shell has strengthened significantly off the back of oil price spikes. But it’s a complex picture. Neither company has production in Iran. But BP’s significant production in Iraq and Abu Dhabi risks being bottlenecked through disruption to the Strait of Hormuz. For Shell the same applies to its LNG facilities in Qatar and the Emirates. If a moderate sustainable regime is established in Iran, there is the potential for substantial derisking, and for prices to be rebased downwards. If sanctions are removed, it also opens the door for investment into Iranian oil fields.But uncertainty remains high. This could prove to be highly profitable for both Shell and BP’s trading arms with Shell’s optimisation capabilities in LNG transit likely to be in particularly strong demand. Shell’s balance sheet strength also leaves it better placed to deal with any prolonged volatility and while BP’s buybacks remain on pause, we’re expecting Shell’s generous payouts are likely to continue this year. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
FCC chief tells CNBC WBD-Paramount merger deal is ‘cleaner’ than Netflix's, will be approved 'quickly'
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told CNBC on Tuesday that Netflix's previous Warner Bros. Discovery offer "raised a lot of competition concerns."
cnbc.com
Banking, payments services disrupted after Amazon UAE data centers hit in drone strikes
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have prompted a wave of retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.
cnbc.com
European stocks close 3% lower as Middle East conflict intensifies
European stocks ended firmly in negative territory Tuesday as the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East continued to weigh on market sentiment.
bbc.com
Gas and oil prices soar and shares tumble on fears conflict could escalate
Markets react as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies and concerns grow over how long it will last.
bbc.com
Reeves says her plan is working as growth forecast cut for this year
The forecasts were made before the conflict in the Middle East broke out which could have a "very significant" impact, the OBR said.
cnbc.com
Blackstone’s Gray: Market ‘noise’ fueled record redemptions from world’s largest private credit fund
Blackstone president Jon Gray defended the quality of loans within the firm's flagship private credit fund.
cnbc.com
The Strait of Hormuz is facing a blockade. These countries will be most impacted
A closure of the Strait of Hormuz would send shock waves through global energy markets, but the pain would be felt most acutely in Asia.
cnbc.com
Anthropic 'made a mistake' in Pentagon talks and should 'correct course,' FCC boss says
In tense negotiations, Anthropic sought specific restrictions on the use of its AI technology by the Department of Defense, which the agency did not agree to.
theguardian.com
Can AI do 40% of your job? Block’s Jack Dorsey thinks so
Jack Dorsey to cut 4,000 workers at Block amid AI advances – but specters such as weak crypto market haunt companyJack Dorsey cited AI as the driving force behind cutting 40% of his company’s employees, but other factors such as a weak crypto market, overstaffing and a declining stock price may also have motivated the move.Last week, the financial technology company Block announced that it would lay off 4,000 of its 10,000 workers. Dorsey, Block’s CEO, said in a letter to shareholders that advances in AI “have changed what it means to build and run a company”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Will petrol and diesel prices go up now?
If oil prices remain high for some time, the knock-on effects could affect the costs of fuel and food
theguardian.com
Reeves’s talk of stability may be misplaced amid Iran war turmoil
Attempt to project calm in spring forecast may be short-lived if living costs and unemployment keep climbingReeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’Business live – latest updates“This government has restored economic stability,” Rachel Reeves told the House of Commons on Tuesday.Yet the chancellor was speaking just moments after MPs had been hearing from the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, about plans to evacuate British nationals from the escalating conflagration in the Middle East. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Target says it's on track to end its sales slump after another lackluster quarter
The big-box retailer Target posted its fiscal fourth-quarter results as it hosted an investor meeting at its Minneapolis headquarters.
bbc.com
No new tax rises in Spring Statement, but don't be fooled - they are still set to rise
There are measures, announced ahead of the chancellor's Spring Statement, yet to take effect.
bbc.com
What Spring Statement forecasts could mean for your money
Among the data and projections are key figures that shine a light on prospects for your finances.
cnbc.com
Nvidia to invest $4 billion into photonics companies Coherent and Lumentum
Coherent and Lumentum will both receive $2 billion each from the chip giant as part of the strategic investment.
bbc.com
Spring Statement 2026: Key points at a glance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves updates MPs on her plans for the economy, as the latest forecasts are unveiled.
cnbc.com
Swiss sneaker maker plunges 14% on weak guidance, slower than expected 2026 growth
On is entering thee third and final year of its strategy to double sales by 2026 in a quest to "be the most premium global sportswear brand."
theguardian.com
Airlines in Middle East rule out services resuming before Thursday
Some repatriation flights depart as governments around the world work to extract their citizens from the conflict-hit region US-Israel war on Iran – live updatesThe biggest Middle East carriers have ruled out resuming scheduled flights until at least Thursday as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues, denting hopes of a swift return to normal air travel after the first repatriation flights left the United Arab Emirates.Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, said its commercial services were suspended until 2pm local time on Thursday 5 March, with Emirates ruling out scheduled flights until midnight on Wednesday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Global economy must stop pandering to ‘frivolous desires of ultra-rich’, says UN expert
Olivier De Schutter says new economic agenda needed to tackle crises of rising inequality and ecological collapseThe global economy must be reordered to ensure it serves ordinary people around the world rather than the “frivolous and destructive demands of the ultra-rich”, according to a leading UN figure.Olivier De Schutter, the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, says politicians must stop prioritising “socially and ecologically destructive growth” that only increases the profits – and serves the consumption demands – of the world’s richest individuals and corporations. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
UK finance minister delivers economic update in the Spring Statement
Economists didn't expect any major policy announcements as the government prioritizes its "Autumn Budget" as the main fiscal event of the year.
cnbc.com
Middle East war sends natural gas prices soaring, raising growth shock risk for Europe and Asia
Disruption to LNG supplies could dent European growth and harm reindustrialization ambitions.
bbc.com
'I make between £800 and £2,000 a month on zero-hours contracts. There's no consistency'
People in their 20s and 30s tell the BBC how they feel about their finances as the chancellor delivers her Spring Statement.
theguardian.com
Stock markets slump amid Iran war as gas prices jump 30% to three-year high
FTSE 100 on track for its worst day in 11 months, while Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi also fallBusiness live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe war in the Middle East has plunged financial markets into turmoil for a second day, with oil and gas prices surging and global stock markets plummeting days after the US-Israel attack on Iran.After a calm Monday, US stocks fell sharply on Tuesday morning, with the Dow dropping more than 1,000 points as concerns over higher gas prices started spooking investors. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Surprise jump in UK grocery inflation makes interest rate cut less probable
ECB says Middle East war could cause higher inflationary pressure and warns of potential ‘sharp drop in output’Business live – latest updatesShoppers faced a surprise jump in grocery inflation last month, as experts warned there was worse to come if there was prolonged war in the Middle East and the odds of a UK interest cut fell sharply.In a blow to households struggling with the cost of living, grocery price inflation rose to 4.3% in the four weeks to 22 February, after falling to 4% in January from 4.7% in December, according to the market research company Worldpanel by Numerator. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil supertanker rates hit all-time high as insurers drop war risk protection in the Middle East
The cost of hauling crude oil from the Middle East to China rose more than 94% to hit a record high of $423,736 per day on Monday.
bbc.com
Heating oil prices rise by more than £100 amid Middle East conflict
Global oil prices spike after Iran launched strikes across the Middle East in response to attacks by the US and Israel.
cnbc.com
Europe — told of Iran strikes just 'minutes' before they started — struggles to be heard as war escalates
Europe appears to have been on the sidelines as the U.S. and Israel pursue Iran, and crisis engulfs the Middle East.
theguardian.com
OpenAI amends Pentagon deal as Sam Altman admits it looks ‘sloppy’
ChatGPT owner’s CEO says it will bar its technology being used for mass surveillance or by intelligence servicesBusiness live – latest updatesOpenAI is amending its hastily arranged deal to supply artificial intelligence to the US Department of War (DoW) after the ChatGPT owner’s chief executive admitted it looked “opportunistic and sloppy”.The contract prompted fears the San Francisco startup’s AI could be used for domestic mass surveillance but its boss, Sam Altman, said on Monday night the startup would explicitly bar its technology from being used for that purpose or being deployed by defence department intelligence agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tech firms and AI farming tools ‘playing with the food system’, warns thinktank
Google, Microsoft and Amazon among companies using algorithms and AI to influence what crops are grown and how, say criticsTech companies and industrial agriculture are “playing with the food system” by using AI and algorithms to undermine farmers in choosing what the world eats, leading food security experts have warned.Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM and Alibaba are working with industrial agriculture firms to influence what crops are grown and how, according to a report by the thinktank International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Where the magic really happens’: the influencers out to celebrate – and save – Britain’s ‘proper boozers’
With more than 350 establishments closing last year, social media accounts such as Proper Boozers and London Dead Pubs have rallied to fight their sticky-carpeted corner – and bring the ‘old-man pub’ a new clienteleThe Calthorpe Arms on Gray’s Inn Road is a fairly atypical central London pub. With patterned red carpets, brass fittings, leather bar stools, a pool table and Christmas tinsel still hanging in early February, it feels very much a “local”, although on a Thursday evening it’s busy with the post-work crowd.It’s the fifth time Niall Walsh, who works nearby and runs the Proper Boozers Instagram account, has visited in recent months. “It’s just off the beaten track, but easy to get to,” Walsh says over a pint of Harvey’s. “You can get a real, authentic pub experience.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump is using AI to fight his wars – this is a dangerous turning point | Chris Stokel-Walker
The technology most people use only as a chatty tool for daily tasks is reportedly aiding US military aggression. And there is not much we can do about itThere are a lot of things that AI can do. It can sort out your shopping list, and it can keep your kids entertained when they’re mutinous by spinning up a tailor-made bedtime story for them. It can make you more efficient at work, and can help our government operate more effectively.What is written less about, and what we need to shout louder about now, are the risks inherent in the militarisation of AI. In the last three months Donald Trump’s White House has reportedly used AI twice to effect regime change, or to – in the most recent case in Iran – get as close to doing so as possible, and leaving it up to rank-and-file Iranians to finish the job.Chris Stokel-Walker is the author of TikTok Boom: The Inside Story of the World’s Favourite App Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Overdrawn, underpaid and over it: how four people conquered their debt mountains
It’s easy to let your credit card balance mount up – and hard to admit you have a problem. But help is at hand. We talk to four people who worked their way back into the blackAbbie Marton Bell, a National Debtline adviser, is often the first person her clients will speak to about their debt, after years of carrying the weight of their financial worries alone. Most of the time, they haven’t even told their partner or family, she says, and “you can literally hear the relief in their voice”.Debt carries a lot of shame, but it’s more common than people might think. In the UK, 84% of adults had some form of credit or loan in the year leading up to May 2024. The average household holds about £2,700 in credit card debt, and it’s only getting worse. Borrowing has been rising at its fastest rate for almost two years, with those hit hardest by the cost of living crisis increasingly using credit to pay for essentials. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Peak Greggs’? Bakery chain’s profits slump and sales slow
Retailer known for its sausage rolls and steak bakes says it has been resilient in a challenging marketBusiness live – latest updatesGreggs has reported a slump in profits as it bemoaned “challenging” market conditions hitting consumer confidence and disposable income, amid pressure to prove the UK has not hit “peak Greggs”.The high street bakery chain, known for its sausage rolls and steak bakes, said statutory pre-tax profits fell by 17.9% to £167.4m for the year to 27 December, compared with a year earlier. Total sales rose by 6.8% to £2.15bn over the year. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
The digital front: Iran’s internet blackout enters fourth day amid reports of cyberattacks
Iran is facing widespread internet disruptions following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes over the weekend.
bbc.com
Wales' richest man says Britain is 'uncomfortable place' for Jews
The billionaire says "anti-semitism is always in the air" with parallels to the persecution his ancestors faced.
cnbc.com
South Korea's Kospi sees worst day in 19 months amid broader decline in Asia markets
Oil prices continue to rise Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it has closed the Strait of Hormuz
cnbc.com
South Korea defense stocks soar with heavyweight Hanwha Aerospace surging 20% as traders react to Iran war
The sector's gains were a sharp contrast to the wider Kospi, falling over 7% to clock its worst day in 19 months.
theguardian.com
I paid off my mortgage – so why did my credit score plummet?
Paying off a loan can sometimes spook the algorithms that people’s calculate creditworthinessMy credit score dropped from well above average to well below average after I paid off my mortgage. As well as bizarre, it’s yet another example of how our lives are affected by arbitrary decisions made by faceless corporate giants.PB London Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Qualcomm CEO sees robotics as a 'larger opportunity' within 2 years
It comes shortly after Qualcomm launched a processor under the Dragonwing brand name designed for robots.
cnbc.com
OpenAI's Altman admits defense deal 'looked opportunistic and sloppy' amid backlash
Sam Altman says that OpenAI "shouldn't have rushed" its deal with the Defense Department and was making "some additions."
bbc.com
Know when to fold them: the tech inspired by origami
Origami techniques can add strength to structures without adding bulk.
theguardian.com
Does Trump want to wage an AI-powered war? – podcast
In the past three months, Donald Trump’s White House has reportedly used AI twice to effect regime change – once in its capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and more recently to help plan the strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The most recent strikes coincided with the end of the Pentagon’s relationship with the AI company Anthropic over concerns its AI tool Claude was being used for purposes the company had explicitly prohibited. The government swiftly signed a new contract with Open AI. To find out what this means for the use of AI in forthcoming conflicts, Madeleine Finlay speaks to technology journalist Chris Stokel-Walker. He explains why he thinks this moment represents a dangerous turning point.Trump is using AI to fight his wars – this is a dangerous turning pointSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
bbc.com
Amazon says drones damaged three facilities in UAE and Bahrain
The incidents highlight the vulnerability of key technology infrastructure during military conflicts.
cnbc.com
Amazon says drone strikes damaged 3 facilities in UAE and Bahrain
Amazon Web Services warned that instability is likely to continue in the Middle East, making operations "unpredictable."
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Markets digest U.S.-Iran war as conflict spreads
The escalating war in the Middle East has ratcheted up fears of prolonged disruption to global trade via key maritime corridors.
cnbc.com
Oil prices jumping after Iran reportedly says it closed the Strait of Hormuz
It is unclear who will ultimately govern Iran, the fourth-largest oil producer in OPEC, after U.S.-Israel strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
cnbc.com
First flights take off from Dubai after Iran strikes, but service is 'limited'
Emirates airline said it will resume a limited number of flights as early as Monday evening local time.
bbc.com
Limited flights leave UAE but disruption continues amid Iran strikes
The majority of flights to key Middle Eastern hubs have been cancelled for Monday as the conflict continues.
bbc.com
Oil and gas prices jump as conflict escalates
Experts have warned that a prolonged conflict could push global energy prices even higher.
theguardian.com
A gas shock – not an oil shock – from the Iran war looks more threatening | Nils Pratley
Europe and Asia will take an economic hit if the supply of Qatari LNG is halted by the closure of the strait of HormuzGas prices soar and oil jumps as Iran war pushes down global stock marketsThe price of oil grabs most of the energy-related attention during conflicts in the Middle East for understandable reasons: oil is the commodity on which the world runs (still) and analysts have roughly reliable models for what every $10 per barrel increase in cost does to global growth and inflation.So, on that front, one can say we’re still a long way from “oil shock” territory. Monday’s rise to $79 a barrel, up 9% since the end of last week, is sizeable, especially as the price was $62 at the start of this year, but remember that $125 was seen shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and $100-plus was then sustained for three months. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Paramount+ and HBO Max to become one streaming service, Ellison says
Billionaire Paramount Skydance chief announces plan days after winning takeover battle for Warner Bros DiscoverySign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxParamount Skydance plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+ into one streaming service, chief executive David Ellison announced during a call with investors, days after the company said it would acquire HBO parent company Warner Bros Discovery.The deal would allow major HBO Max titles, such as The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Succession, to sit alongside Paramount offerings including Yellowstone and Survivor. Ellison said combining the two platforms would give the company more than 200 million direct-to-consumer subscribers. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Bars close and hundreds lose jobs as US firm buys Brewdog in £33m deal
Beverage and cannabis company Tilray acquires the brewery, the brand and 11 bars after Brewdog went into administration.
bbc.com
Tax reform calculator launched in Guernsey
P&R creates a tax reform calculator for households to see how proposals could affect them.
cnbc.com
How Iran chooses its supreme leader, and who could be next?
Ayatollah Khamenei's death following the joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes has compelled country's leadership to confront the task of selecting a new supreme leader.
theguardian.com
‘The digital colonization of flyover states’: how datacenters are tearing small-town America apart
The rapid rollout of datacenters across the US is creating a divide between municipal governments and residentsWilmington, Ohio, resident Quintin Koger Kidd was so concerned last June with his local public officials’ alleged misdoings – open meeting violations and other discrepancies – that he filed a complaint in court to have the mayor and city council members removed from their posts.When Koger Kidd later heard that the city supported plans by Amazon Web Services to build a $4bn datacenter on 500 acres (200 hectares) south of town, he was aghast. Amazon has sought a tax abatement that would see its datacenter exempt from paying property taxes for 30 years in exchange for the funding of local schools and infrastructure projects. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran conflict: Where things stand, global responses — and what comes next
The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran is extending into its third day with each side pledging escalation.
theguardian.com
Middle East crisis pushes up oil prices – and could drive inflation rises too
Effects of extended conflict between US and Iran could also lead to higher interest rates and hit economic growthUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesThe impact of the deadly and unpredictable conflict in the Middle East on the global economy will be felt most immediately, and keenly, through the rising cost of oil.Prices jumped on Monday, as markets had their first opportunity to digest the weekend’s tit-for-tat attacks. A barrel of Brent crude oil was trading at about $79 (£59) by lunchtime in London, up about $6 or 8.5% on the day. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
We look at the different circumstances that affect you if you're due a refund for cancelled or delayed flights.
theguardian.com
I’m on the Meta Oversight Board. We need AI protections now | Suzanne Nossel
AI is transforming our world. Accepting independent oversight is the least companies can do to protect our rightsThe speed with which AI is transforming our lives is head-spinning. Unlike previous technological revolutions – radio, nuclear fission or the internet – governments are not leading the way. We know that AI can be dangerous; chatbots advise teens on suicide and may soon be capable of instructing on how to create biological weapons. Yet there is no equivalent to the Federal Drug Administration, testing new models for safety before public release. Unlike in the nuclear industry, companies often don’t have to disclose dangerous breaches or accidents. The tech industry’s lobbying muscle, Washington’s paralyzing polarization, and the sheer complexity of such a potent, fast-moving technology have kept federal regulation at bay. European officials are facing pushback against rules that some claim hobble the continent’s competitiveness. Although several US states are piloting AI laws, they operate in a tentative patchwork and Donald Trump has attempted to render them invalid.Heads of AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini say they care about safety. But owning the future of AI means pouring billions into models that not even their creators fully understand, and making choices like adding ads – and the capabilities that the Pentagon is now seeking from Anthropic – that raise risk. Anthropic, which styles itself as the most conscientious frontier AI company, says its model is trained to “imagine how a thoughtful senior Anthropic employee” would weigh helpfulness against possible harm. The directive echoes criticisms levied years ago over Silicon Valley companies that shaped the lives of users worldwide from insular boardrooms. Consumers don’t believe they are in good hands. Fully 77% of Americans surveyed last year think AI could pose a threat to humanity. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Why India looks especially vulnerable as conflict rages in Middle East
As conflict in the Middle East causes surging oil prices and disrupts the aviation sector, India is coming under pressure.
cnbc.com
Khamenei's death raises questions about Trump's China trip
U.S. President Donald Trump has been scheduled to visit China at the end of March, following tense trade relations with Beijing.
theguardian.com
ScottishPower refuses to believe that my father has died
For months it has been adding to my mother’s distress when all she wanted was feed-in tariff payments go into her accountWhen my father died last year, nearly all the companies we had to notify were kind and empathetic, but not ScottishPower.It had been paying feed-in tariff (Fit) payments for electricity produced from my parents’ solar panels into his account. My parents had bought the panels jointly in 2011, and my mother is named on the certification and was ScottishPower’s main point of contact, so she thought it would be a simple matter for the payments to be switched to her bank account. It was not. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Deepfake attack: 'Many people could have been cheated'
The boss of the Bombay Stock Exchange was recently targeted in what is a growing global problem.
theguardian.com
Most senior council officers in England say building work hit by delays
Funding uncertainty is main concern, despite Labour’s pledge to revitalise construction, survey showsBusiness live – latest updatesAlmost two-thirds of senior council officers have said they are seeing construction projects delayed, despite the key role of local authorities in creating the wave of new housing and infrastructure promised by Labour.Before Rachel Reeves’s spring forecast on Tuesday, a survey of senior council officers showed that 40% do not think the local authority they work for is well placed to follow through on its construction plans. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Rolls-Royce boss ‘open’ to Germany joining UK’s fighter jet project
Tufan Erginbilgiç says decision is for the government but German participation remains a possibilityBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Rolls-Royce has said he would welcome Germany helping to build Britain’s next-generation fighter jet, arguing it would bring in more business for the project.The aircraft, designed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, is a joint effort between the UK, Italy and Japan. Rolls-Royce is building the engine for the jet, which has attracted fresh attention as plans for a rival Franco-German warplane edge towards collapse. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran after Khamenei: What's next and what it means for the country?
Khamenei assumed power following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, inheriting a revolutionary state still consolidating itself.
bbc.com
UK launches consultation asking for views on under-16s social media ban
Discussions over what measures to implement to protect children's wellbeing will last for three months.
cnbc.com
$100 oil? Prolonged Hormuz closure could spark a 1970s-style energy shock
Energy analysts are bracing for a possible oil supply shock after U.S. strikes on Iran reignited fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
theguardian.com
Datacentre developers face calls to disclose effect on UK’s net emissions
Campaign groups write to technology secretary amid concerns that sites could double overall electricity demandDatacentre developers are facing pressure to reveal whether their projects will increase the UK’s net greenhouse gas emissions, amid concerns the sites could double national electricity demand.Campaign groups have written to the UK technology secretary, Liz Kendall, warning that the energy required by new AI infrastructure poses a “serious threat to efforts to decarbonise the electricity grid”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump’s Iran strikes accelerate the world’s drift from dollar dominance | Heather Stewart
Aggression feeds a sense that the US is operating outside global norms and helps to fuel a more complex currency outlookWhat the US-Israeli attacks on Iran mean for oil pricesDonald Trump’s attack on Iran, with its puerile Pentagon nametag Operation Epic Fury, is another show of violent force from a bullish administration.Aside from unleashing fresh instability across the Middle East, the strikes add to the sense of a US operating with little regard for international law or global norms – as with Trump’s on-off tariff regime, and the attack on Venezuela. Continue reading...
bbc.com
A firm hiring blind staff went bust - but its mission lives on
The business had been running for over 150 years before it collapsed, so one former employee took matters into her own hands.
bbc.com
Could a huge data centre revitalise Ayrshire - or ruin it?
Controversial proposals to turn land near HMP Kilmarnock into a technology hub are being advanced by energy company ILI Group.
theguardian.com
Thousands of pollution incidents in England downgraded without site visit, data suggests
Exclusive: Whistleblower figures show large rise in ‘serious’ to ‘minor’ downgrades based on water company evidenceEnvironment Agency (EA) staff have downgraded thousands of serious pollution incidents by water companies in England without visiting to investigate, data unearthed by freedom of information (FoI) requests suggests.The figures were obtained by Robert Forrester, a whistleblower who left the agency in January and has spent nine years shining a light on the state of the water industry. His identity was revealed in the Channel 4 docudrama Dirty Business this week, and he has vowed to carry on fighting to expose the truth. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Cleaning Superstore’: warning over missed delivery text scam on WhatsApp
The text mimics a common fraud, but differs in that criminals appear to have hacked a genuine business accountJohn the delivery driver has tried to drop off something at your home from a company called Cleaning Superstore but you missed him, according to the message you have received via WhatsApp.Although you cannot remember buying anything from the company, the text appears to have come from a legitimate WhatsApp account so you try to rearrange delivery by clicking the link provided. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘A temple of food’: London’s grande dame Simpson’s in the Strand rises again
As the storied London dining room reopens on its bicentenary, restaurateur Jeremy King honours its heritage while restoring a faded iconSimpson’s in the Strand was the sort of London institution where nothing changed without very good reason. Founded in 1828 as a coffee and chess club, the restaurant introduced wheeled silver trolleys so waiters could dispense roast beef and gravy without disturbing the players’ concentration, and kept them long after the chessboards had gone. In the 1860s, to emphasise its focus on British food, Simpson’s rejected the French word “menu” in favour of “bill of fare”, and so it would remain.Ornate, self-consciously stately and a bit stuffy, it was as English as Charles Dickens, PG Wodehouse and Winston Churchill – all of whom, perhaps unsurprisingly, were devoted patrons. Wodehouse described Simpson’s as “a restful temple of food” where, as one of his characters observed, diners were “at liberty to eat till you were helpless, if you felt so disposed”. Not all diners, however: women were barred from the main dining room until 1984. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Square Mile strikes back: how the City of London is fighting disinformation about crime
Panic about antisocial behaviour and theft has broken through from social media to boardrooms and diplomatic circles“Just visit London and you’ll see that it’s filled with crime,” the tech billionaire Elon Musk said as he was beamed into Tommy Robinson’s far-right rally in the UK capital last September.The comments by the SpaceX and Tesla boss, part of a roving speech that was later condemned by the UK government, added to a growing wave of anti-London disinformation that has spread in recent months. That includes Donald Trump’s notorious comments of London “no-go zones” and Nigel Farage’s warnings against wearing jewellery after 9pm in the West End. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Edible Economics by Ha-Joon Chang (Omnibus)
Professor Ha-Joon Chang, “a hungry economist” explores why economics matters.
theguardian.com
Poisoned chalice? The BBC’s struggles to find a successor to Tim Davie
As the director general prepares to stand down, potential candidates have fallen away amid a series of crisesThere is an impressive shortlist circulating in Britain’s media circles, comprising some of the most talented executives in the business. Unfortunately for the BBC, it contains the names of figures no longer in the running to become its next director general.Those closely observing the corporation’s search for a successor to Tim Davie have been quick to note how the events of the past week help explain the alarming attrition rate. Continue reading...
bbc.com
The third man who links Andrew with Jeffrey Epstein
For nearly a decade, David Stern acted as a key conduit between Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
bbc.com
Trump orders government to stop using Anthropic in battle over AI use
The move announced on social media comes after a standoff between Anthropic's boss and the US Department of Defense.
bbc.com
Rent tops £1,000 a month in more areas - find out where
The cost of renting privately has surged in the last five years, but tenants may now see a slowdown.
bbc.com
What the Warner Bros deal could mean for streaming, cinemas and news
If Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros goes ahead it could significantly reshape Hollywood.
bbc.com
Brewdog expected to announce sale early next week
Staff are told Brewdog's German arm is not included in the sale and will now be liquidated but bars will trade as normal this weekend.
bbc.com
Government to give go-ahead for £1bn defence helicopter deal
The chancellor has stepped in to protect jobs at the helicopter manufacturer in Somerset, the BBC understands.
bbc.com
Waitrose to suspend mackerel sales due to overfishing concerns
The supermarket chain says it will stop sourcing fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by 29 April.
bbc.com
Tyrrells plans to give vegetable crisps the chop
Parent company KP confirms the proposals may lead to the loss of a factory in Uttoxeter.
bbc.com
Why you should consider fixing your energy tariff now
Martin Lewis explains what the upcoming change to the energy price cap means for your bills.
bbc.com
Dyson settles forced labour suit in landmark UK case
Migrant workers alleged they were subjected to abusive treatment in a Malaysian factory for Dyson.
theguardian.com
‘More exploitation, fewer rights’: Argentina braces for sweeping overhaul of labor laws
Javier Milei’s boosters say law will revive employment, but critics decry cuts to severance and longer working hoursArgentina’s senate is poised to approve a sweeping overhaul of labour laws aimed at weakening trade unions and lowering labour costs for businesses.The government of the self-styled “anarcho-capitalist” president, Javier Milei, says the initiative will help revive formal employment, after 290,600 registered jobs were lost between December 2023, when he took office, and November 2025. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Paramount set for $111bn Warner Bros takeover after Netflix drops bid
Netflix's decision to back down from the bidding war clears the path for Paramount to win the takeover battle.
bbc.com
Jack Dorsey's Block cuts thousands of jobs as it embraces AI
The Twitter co-founder says he believes the majority of firms will make similar changes "within the next year."
bbc.com
Why you can't get a signal at festivals and sports matches
Connecting up music and sports events to the internet is a massive undertaking.
bbc.com
'Is this all bad debt or good debt?'
Karen has not only left the family in emotional turmoil but also in serious debt.
theguardian.com
Send provision and student loans: will Labour’s changes backfire? – podcast
As the dust settles on the government’s landmark changes to children’s special educational needs and disabilities provision, what will their impact really be on young people, their families and schools? John Harris and Kiran Stacey look at what we know so far. And, a growing backlash from graduates over student loan payments, led by the influential consumer champion Martin Lewis, is causing a headache the government was not anticipating. Why did they overlook this and what changes could be made?Archive: ITV news, BBC Continue reading...
theguardian.com
An oil refinery defined life in this quaint California city. What happens when it’s gone?
For decades, the Valero refinery shaped Benicia’s economy, politics and health. Now the city has become a reluctant test case of whether an oil town can reinvent itselfLess than 40 miles north of San Francisco, the city of Benicia has the quaint ambience of an American small town, where a white gazebo and sign for a community crab bake mark the approach to a vibrant downtown stretch of restaurants, cafes and antique shops.From many vantage points, it’s easy to forget the city is home to a massive 900-acre oil refinery, its imposing sprawl of stacks, holding tanks and billowing steam hidden from view. But for nearly 60 years, the refinery has loomed over every aspect of life in Benicia, exerting outsized influence on its economy and politics, while posing serious risks to public health. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
David Davis takes 'unusual step' of thanking Guardian for coverage of dual nationals – video
A Home Office minister, Mike Tapp, has rejected claims that the government failed to adequately communicate new border rules that could see British dual nationals barred from boarding flights to the UK. The former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis said three of his constituents only became aware of the changes through reporting by the Guardian and the BBC. Under the new rules, British dual nationals must present either a valid or expired British passport, or a £589 certificate of entitlement, to prove their right of abode before boarding a plane, ferry or train to the UKHome Office denies ‘absurd’ criticism over rule change that may leave dual nationals strandedUK politics live – latest updates Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Keen bosses, strange mistakes and a looming threat: workers on training AI to do their jobs
Some say the technology is devaluing their work, while others reckon it is not yet – and might never be – good enough to replace them entirelyWorkers grappling with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence have said they feel “devalued” by the technology and warned of a downward trajectory in the quality of work.Recent analysis by the International Monetary Fund found AI would affect about 40% of jobs around the world. Its head, Kristalina Georgieva, has said: “This is like a tsunami hitting the labour market.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Magic beneath the surface’: pioneering geothermal plant launched in Cornwall
A new mini power station and lithium extraction facility near Redruth are set to bolster green energy and create jobsJust outside the perimeter fence stand the hulking remains of grand stone engine houses, a testament to Cornwall’s proud tin and copper mining history.But inside is a shiny new mini power station and lithium extraction plant that is once again accessing rich underground resources in the far south-west of Britain. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Can degrowth save the climate? – podcast
Since the 1960s, global GDP has been rapidly rising and living standards have reached record highs. But something else has been rocketing up too – carbon emissions. For years, scientists and economists have been asking: is it possible to grow without heating and polluting the Earth? And as the climate becomes more unstable, the issue is only becoming more urgent. Madeleine Finlay hears from two economists arguing for a change in how we measure a country’s success. Nick Stern is professor of economics and government at the London School of Economics and an advocate of green growth, an approach to growth that prioritises green industry. Jason Hickel is a political economist and professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona who advocates degrowth, shrinking parts of the economy that do not advance our social and ecological goals.Catch up with all the pieces in the Beyond Growth seriesSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
bbc.com
The family-owned soda firm that still uses returnable glass bottles
Soft drinks company Twig's Beverage has a loyal following for its old-fashioned approach.
bbc.com
Martin Lewis on what the new energy price cap means
Typical household energy bills will fall by 7% in April, regulator Ofgem has announced, following a shake-up in charges by the government.
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
Orbital space race heats up in Arctic north
Europe lags far behind the US and China in orbital space launches, but new facilities are opening up.
bbc.com
Are you cut out for living and working in Antarctica?
Jobs are available on the icy continent for chefs, plumbers, carpenters and even hairdressers.
bbc.com
How do you modernise mango farming?
India's mango farmers are being urged to innovate as climate change makes cultivation "unpredictable".
bbc.com
The two farms in Senegal that supply many of the UK's vegetables
During winter in Britain fresh produce is sent by cargo ship from the West African nation every week.
bbc.com
Reddit's human content wins amid the AI flood
Reddit says its human contributors are valued amid an internet awash with AI-generated content.
bbc.com
Trump eyes Venezuela visit – but obstacles to his oil plan remain
The US president wants American energy firms to start extracting the crude but they are reluctant.
bbc.com
The US economy is growing - so where are all the jobs?
As hiring rates and job openings drop, some worry a tough job market could be here to stay.
bbc.com
Get a grip: Robotics firms struggle to develop hands
Developing a durable and affordable hand is one of the biggest challenges in robotics.
bbc.com
Who is billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and how did he make his money?
The industrialist and Manchester United co-owner has apologised over comments he made about immigration.
bbc.com
The Dutch love four-day working weeks, but are they sustainable?
The Netherlands has the lowest working hours in Europe, but some say it is harming its economy.
bbc.com
Why food fraud persists, even with improving tech
Even with sophisticated technology it is still difficult to detect fake foods.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
bbc.com
The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis
Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?
💬 Comments